Children and adults will experience an environment where they are encouraged to promote safe sun protection practices in our Centre

Procedures

• Sunshade areas are provided in the Over 2 and Under 2 areas.

• The Centre will provide hats for children who do not bring their own

• “No hat – no play outside” policy

• Centre hats will be washed weekly

• The Centre provides sunscreen lotion and this is to be applied by teachers before the afternoon session only

• Sunscreen is available for parents to apply on drop off before the morning session

• Children allergic to sunscreen will be noted for all staff to be aware of. Alternative form of sun protection is to be provided by the child’s parents.

• Children engaged in water play will wear underwear and tee shirts at all times

• Children are to wear suitable clothing outside at all times

• No singlets to be worn (shoulders must be covered)

• Information around sun safety will be made available to parents at the beginning of terms one and four

The Centre’s Sickness and Infectious Diseases Policy will prevent and contain the spread of sickness and infectious diseases

Procedures

• Children who have had diarrhoea or vomiting need to be away from the Centre for 48 hours after the last episode of sickness, or at the Head Teacher’s discretion.

• When a child’s temperature reaches 38° staff will notify the parent or caregiver and ask them to remove the child from the Centre

• When a child’s absence from the Centre is required from a contagious infection, i.e. chickenpox or measles, the Ministry of Health guidelines will be adhered to.

• Children will be isolated in the staffroom under close supervision if they vomit or have diarrhoea at the Centre or any other infectious condition.

• Two loose bowel motions within a short period of time is considered to be diarrhoea.

• The child’s parents or contact person will be notified and asked to remove the sick child as soon as possible.

• The enrolment form will contain the following information:

  • 1. Emergency contact person

  • 2. Permission to administer homeopathic medicine described

  • 3. Permission to seek medical help in the advent of an accident, or serious illness.

• Antibiotic medicine must already have been administered for 24 hours prior to the child returning to the Centre, and before staff will administer the medicine at the Centre.

• A medication form must be completed by the caregiver before any medicine is administered by staff members

• Caregivers/parents are to contact the Centre as soon as an infectious/contagious disease has been diagnosed, particularly in the case of Chickenpox, Fifth Disease (slapped cheek, parvovirus), Measles, Hand Foot and Mouth, Giardia, Conjunctivitis and Impetigo (School Sores)

• When a child has attended the Centre with an infectious disease parents/Whanau of all the children will be notified as soon as possible.

• A relieving list of staff is held for emergency situations.

• Any person in a state of physical or mental health that presents any risk of danger to the children or staff or has an infectious or contagious disease will be excluded from the Centre.

• These procedures also apply to teaching staff and visitors to the Centre.

Specific Conditions for Children’s Return to the Centre

Conjunctivitis

When the discharge from the eye has stopped children can return

Hand, Foot & Mouth

Infected children can return when they are feeling well and weeping blisters have dried up

Head lice

Children with head lice can return to the Centre the morning after their first treatment

Impetigo

Children can return to the Centre 24 hours after treatment with sores covered until they have healed

Chicken Pox

Children can return after one week from appearance of rash and all the spots have dried up.

For any other infections or diseases Campus Corner Early Learning Centre is guided by Nga Kupu Oranga – Ministry of Health Guidelines for Early Childhood Centres.

We are committed to the health and safety of our staff, children and other people in the Centre

Procedures

• Written authorisation to administer any category (ii) medicine such as antibiotics, ear/eye drops must be received from parents/caregivers, which is to include name, type of medicine, dosage, method and frequency.

• All medication must be clearly identified with child’s name.

• The medication requirement sheet will include who, when, what, how much, and by whom the medicine was administered.

• Any oral medication administered must me checked by two teachers - one being a qualified teacher

• In an emergency situation, i.e. when a child’s temperature is above 38°, staff can administer pain relief with verbal authorisation from parents/caregivers. Other means of reducing fever should be implemented first.

• Campus Corner will use only JUNIOR PARACETAMOL – dosage as per brand.

• Category (iii) medicine which is used for ongoing treatment of a pre-diagnosed condition e.g. asthma, eczema and allergic reactions will be written up on an Individual Health Plan which is kept at the back of the daily medication folder.

• When medication is administered from Individual Health Plans, it must be recorded and signed by staff administering it and the parent must be informed at end of session.

• Individual Health Plans will be reviewed in the monthly maintenance checklist by Senior Teachers. Parents will be required to sign the form every three months to ensure that it is still relevant.

• Medication for Young Children will be stored in the fridge or top right cupboard above bench in kitchen. Medication for Infants & Toddlers will be stored in the fridge in the Infants and Toddlers area. This will be identified with a medical sign on the outside of the door.

• All medicine records will be kept for 1 year with other Centre documentation.

Systems are in place to monitor sleeping children in our Centre, complying with Regulation 45 and 46 of the Education (Early Childhood Centres) Regulations

Sleep Room Procedures

• A sleep room is provided adjacent to the Infants & Toddlers playroom

• Sleeping children are to be clearly visible at all times

• The rostered staff member is to remain present until all children are asleep

• The rostered staff member is responsible for physically checking sleeping children at 5 - minute intervals for Infants & Toddlers and 10 - minute intervals for Young Children and recording this on the daily sleep room check form

• Children are issued with individually identified sheets and bedding that are washed on a weekly basis

• No child will have access to food or liquids while in bed.

• Infants will be encouraged to rest or sleep on their back

• Children who are able to stand independently will use the bottom cot if possible.

• All children will be put to sleep in a cot or on a mattress in the sleep room